The Cave - Ron Gilbert, Double Fine and Sega
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Page 4

I really regret blowing a tenner on this sight unseen, it's really not that amazing. For one thing it has pretty high demands or else it ... run... s... so... slo... wly... the lag is unbelievable, almost unplayable. But then I'm on a 2010 MBP so that's my fault really, I need to try it on my new iMac I suppose.

(insert 'Mac gaming lol' comment here!)

But already I'm getting pissed off dragging my ass across just one area to pick up items I need that got dropped elsewhere because of the lack of inventory, so how it's going to feel when I've got to traverse several areas for the same thing, god knows. Also not sure I'll have the slightest desire to play it all a third time just for one last character.

I remember reading Schafer making a comment about 'how do we do an adventure game without an inventory?' in previews for the game, and the answer is evidently "by annoying the utter shit out of your players by making them haul their ass across the map all the livelong day because everyone can only hold one bloody item at a time". Not a great solution, we can all spot padding when we see it.

Just had a look around, seems a lot of the main review sites are scoring it about 6/10 or equivalent. I'd agree with that, though depending on your point of view you might give or take a point or two.

I'll play through it once if it runs at a decent speed on my 2012 mac, but the controls on a computer are not great. The key bindings appear to have been made by someone with a half their keys missing. It really needs a console controller - could i plug my 360 controller in and use Tattiebogle driver, anyone?

@CrispyXUK Yeah it's a bit early, that just occurred to me! I use one for The Witcher 2 but wasn't sure if support was included in The Cave. I think it would remove one of the major barriers for enjoyment if it is.

mikeck wrote:
@One_Vurfed_Gwrx That's strange, it definitely should have been released in SK.

Nope, only thing related to it that is findable is the trailer by searching for Doublefine developed games and clicking on that gets a "not available in your region" message. It is probably to do with it being Sega published as I guessed earlier as they seem to be the wrost publisher for me on Steam (in this regard)

neilka wrote:
I think there's going to be a lot of people upset about one particular puzzle in the time traveller's area - to move the boulder in the past you have to hold down the push/pull button and switch characters at the same time. I've just wasted an hour on this, knowing what the solution was but not how to do it!

This annoyed the tits out of me too - bad design on that part!

Shame, as the Time Traveller specific stage is the best one on the game.

@CaptainKid I don't know to be honest, but I'm still in the 'Employee Area' trying to work out how to beat the Crystal Monster and already I'm frustrated with traipsing back to pick up an item to see if *that* does anything...

I think playing it on a computer fast enough to not present a slideshow whenever I move, plus trying a controller (it that's supported) will alleviate most of my frustrations the lack of inventory presents.

TarickStonefire wrote:
@CaptainKid I don't know to be honest, but I'm still in the 'Employee Area' trying to work out how to beat the Crystal Monster and already I'm frustrated with traipsing back to pick up an item to see if *that* does anything...

I think playing it on a computer fast enough to not present a slideshow whenever I move, plus trying a controller (it that's supported) will alleviate most of my frustrations the lack of inventory presents.

Don't worry, it get's worse.
That area is not really a maze, it's pretty straight forward.
Later on you don't know which way to go to get to an area (to get an item and stuff)even if you've been there before.
I now use the switch "to other character feature" to try see the lay out of the cave, it really does need a zoom out function or map. (or free roaming camera)

I have a fairly old PC, AMD X2 240, Geforce 9600 GT, and can run the game on max settings without any issues.

I also do not really have issues using the keyboard to jump. Although the only way to jump less far is walking first and then press jump.. Bit weird. Even when you jump straight UP and then press a direction you jump very far.

I'm still enjoying it. It's not without it's problems (inventory in particular), but it's a nice little game and only cost a tenner. I'm not as far in as some of these people, so maybe I'll change my mind later, but remarks all seems a bit harsh to me.

It certainly is an odd one... for as many occasions that I find myself laughing and appreciating the humour, there are an equal number of hand-gnawingly frustrating design decisions.

Go in expecting a lot of backtracking and some situations where you know what to do and how to do but getting it done feels like a job, and you'll get more out. More attention on making the payoffs more memorable when the puzzles are solved would have helped too.

It does look very nice and has had some love... But it won't get the love of a Monkey Island.

I just can't work out what the hell to do with that Crystal Monster. This morning I had the 'brainwave' of using the hotdog on the obvious pointy stick and thought AH-HA! But that still doesn't actually progress me.

And if your timing is wrong then you have to trek back fucking ages to redo it. It really is a mixture of good stuff (puzzles are quite fun and logical in a twisted way) and shit (actually doing the fucking puzzles and the backtracking.)